AdeleneDawner comments on Why the beliefs/values dichotomy? - Less Wrong

20 Post author: Wei_Dai 20 October 2009 04:35PM

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Comment author: [deleted] 21 October 2009 03:21:41AM 2 points [-]

Since I'm often annoyed when my posts are downvoted without explanation, and I saw that this post was downvoted, I'll try to explain the downvotes.

Updating of values happens all the time; it's called operant conditioning. If my dog barks and immediately is poked with a hot poker, its value of barking is updated. This is a useful adaptation, as being poked with a hot poker decreases fitness. If my dog tries to mate and immediately receives an electric shock, its value of making is decreased. This is a harmful adaptation, as mating is a more fundamental fitness factor than electric shocks.

So, you seem to be explaining an observation that is not observed using a fact that is not true.

Comment author: AdeleneDawner 21 October 2009 03:25:22AM 1 point [-]

Or the dog values not being in pain more than it values barking or mating...